Officials of the state were shocked. Boxwood plants remain green all year.
The reason for the surprise was the recent discovery of a moth that can strip leaves from boxwood plants.
Thick, dense hedges can eventually look nearly transparent.
Boxwood is the type of plant upon which the moth is most likely to feed. It has not previously been confirmed in Maryland.
However, it has recently been discovered within the state.
There are two major concerns associated with this destructive moth: how it reached Maryland and where officials are finding it.
Why officials are taking the discovery seriously
In addition to its destructive nature, the box tree moth produces many generations per year, according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. If allowed to go uncontrolled, it could kill whatever plants it feeds on.
Caterpillars of the moth feed almost exclusively on leaves and may entirely defoliate a boxwood.
After the foliage is destroyed, they may then begin eating away at the bark of the plant and ultimately kill it.
One of the most common signs of the moth’s presence is the webbing that caterpillars create.
It is not limited to one geographic area.
The moth has already been confirmed in several states, including Pennsylvania and West Virginia. As a result of its potential for continued expansion, it has become a growing concern for both agricultural officials and homeowners.
A problem that may not stop at one sighting
Not only does the moth cause physical damage, but it also has the potential to spread. Adult moths are capable of flight, thus allowing natural population growth into other regions.
According to the University of Maryland, moving infested boxwood plants can establish new populations.
Caterpillars that have established themselves may be hard to detect until significant damage occurs to plants.
This combination creates an even greater need for prompt detection.
Maryland officials have already asked residents, landscapers, and nursery owners to inspect boxwoods regularly. They should look for signs of defoliation, bark stripping, caterpillars, and webbing.
Prompt identification of new infestations may be able to help control the spread of the moth.
More information is available from the Maryland Government. The University of Maryland also provides guidance on identifying and managing the pest.
Prior to confirming Maryland’s first detection of box tree moth, officials wondered how the moth had reached the state. They questioned whether it had traveled from neighboring states or arrived on infested plants brought into Maryland.
The clues behind Maryland’s first sighting
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service reported Maryland’s first confirmed sighting of box tree moth in July 2025. The detection occurred at Fort Frederick State Park in Washington County.
Following that report, staff members of the state park began immediately removing and destroying infested boxwoods to help stop further spread.
At present, officials have not identified a single confirmed pathway by which the moth entered Maryland.
However, experts believe that adult moths can travel naturally to new locations by flying thereto.
Infestations can also be transported from one region to another through the movement of infested boxwood plants. Both of these factors may have contributed greatly since similar infestations are now established in nearby states.
Presently, Maryland’s confirmed detection remains at Fort Frederick State Park in Washington County.
Officials continue to remove infested plants and continuously monitor surrounding areas to attempt to limit the spread of the pest.
Although relatively small compared to some insects, its damage potential can be large. A single infestation alone can remove healthy boxwoods’ leaves, leaving them with sparse and damaged-looking hedges.
Currently, Maryland officials are working to identify other possible locations where the pest resides and to prevent additional spread.